Ultimate Hot Cocoa Cookies

The Ultimate Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe: A Warm, Gooey Treat

When the weather gets colder, there’s truly nothing better than the comfort of a steaming cup of hot cocoa. But what if you could transform that cozy, chocolatey flavor into a cookie? With this recipe for Ultimate Hot Cocoa Cookies, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of hot cocoa in a chewy, gooey treat. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, family movie nights, or even when you just want to treat yourself.

From the very first bite, you’ll experience rich chocolate flavor combined with soft, melty marshmallow. Not only are they incredibly tasty, but they’re also simple to make. Even if baking isn’t your specialty, these cookies are straightforward and use common ingredients you likely already have at home.

What truly makes these cookies special, though, is how the marshmallows are added toward the end of baking. This clever little trick ensures they stay soft and fluffy, creating that signature hot cocoa feel. Because of this step, these cookies turn out perfectly every single time.

In addition, you can easily make this recipe your own. For example, you might sprinkle crushed peppermint on top for a holiday twist, or you could mix in white chocolate chips for a creamy variation. Furthermore, you can experiment with different types of chocolate chips to add variety. Likewise, a drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel could take these cookies to the next level. Either way, the possibilities are endless, and you can always have fun experimenting with flavors.

As winter sets in and the days grow colder, these cookies will undoubtedly bring warmth and joy to your home. They’re great for sharing with loved ones or even keeping all to yourself (we won’t tell!). After all, who doesn’t love a warm, chocolatey treat during the holidays?

So, why wait? Whip up a batch of these Ultimate Hot Cocoa Cookies today and savor the flavors of a classic winter favorite, all in cookie form. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a staple in your holiday baking!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips (plus ½ cup for drizzle)
12 regular marshmallows, cut in half to yield about 24 cookies

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat and prepare: First, preheat your oven to 350°F, making sure the racks are in the center position. Then, line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
2. Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and creamy. This process usually takes about 2-3 minutes and helps create the perfect cookie texture.
3. Add eggs and vanilla: Next, mix in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. After that, stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the chocolate flavor.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This step helps distribute the baking soda evenly, which is important for a consistent texture in your cookies.
5. Mix wet and dry: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies dense.
6. Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips using a spatula. Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 8 minutes, but do not overbake.
8. Add marshmallows: After 8 minutes, quickly press one marshmallow half, sticky side down, onto the top of each cookie. Then, return the cookies to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until the marshmallows soften and melt slightly.
9. Drizzle with chocolate: While the cookies are cooling, melt ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle the melted chocolate over the marshmallow-topped cookies.
10. Cool and serve: Finally, let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets or a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy their gooey, chocolatey goodness!

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Measure Ingredients Accurately: Always use a kitchen scale or the scoop-and-level method for flour to avoid dry cookies. Precise measurements ensure the ideal chewy texture for your Ultimate Hot Cocoa Cookies.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter and eggs come to room temperature before mixing. This small step helps the dough combine evenly, which creates perfectly soft cookies with gooey marshmallow tops.
• Add Marshmallows at the Right Time: Add the marshmallows toward the end of baking to ensure they soften perfectly without overcooking the cookies. This simple trick keeps the cookies moist and chewy, just as they should be.